logo
Gary Lineker relives uncomfortable moment with boxer Anthony Joshua at Wimbledon

Gary Lineker relives uncomfortable moment with boxer Anthony Joshua at Wimbledon

Daily Mirror3 days ago
Gary Lineker has been speaking about his recent trip to Wimbledon and the Match of the Day host says the presence of Anthony Joshua in the royal box was a little awkward
Big boxer Anthony Joshua left Gary Lineker feeling a little uncomfortable when the pair met at Wimbledon last week.
The broadcaster and the athlete were sat side-by-side in the royal box on Centre Court on Friday as they were treated to Carlos Alcaraz's latest champion performance as well as Emma Raducanu's epic with Aryna Sabalenka under the roof. But the former Match of the Day host says the experience left him feeling quite uncomfortable.

Chatting to Micah Richards and Alan Shearer about it on his Rest Is Football podcast, Gary discussed the matter with his fellow former pros, who couldn't help but laugh after being made to feel very small by man mountain AJ as they watched the action on day five of the Championships.

Gary said: "I went to Wimbledon the other day. I just want to thank Wimbledon for inviting me, it was lovely. I took my youngest, Angus. We sat next to Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn and we had a laugh watching some great tennis." Micah stopped him, and chimed in: "Can I just say, you were looking marvellous."
Shearer added: "Micah, he was looking marvellous until you looked to his left and saw Anthony Joshua." Ignoring the former Manchester City defender and England legend, Gary went on: "I was sitting in the seats next to Anthony, and he's obviously huge. His legs… and the only way he sits, because there wasn't enough room, was he had his legs wide open.

"And I was forced, for like seven hours, whatever it was, to put my legs to the… it got to the stage where I was getting cramp in my inside thigh so badly. The game was going on and I wanted to shout.
"But I never had the balls, at any point, to tell him, 'Will you f***ing move your legs over a little bit, give me some room?' Absolutely true. But he's a lovely, lovely guy and I had a laugh with him. And they were great company for the afternoon."
The host, 64, left his role at Match of the Day in May, having presented the show for 26 years. His departure came after he shared a social media post which included a rat emoji, an animal historically used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda. Lineker deleted the post and issued multiple apologies but the decision was made for him to leave the BBC altogether a year earlier than planned.

Recently, the former England striker has hit out at the broadcaster over a documentary which they refused to air over impartiality concerns, resulting in backlash. 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' was commissioned and paid for by the BBC as the bloody Israel-Gaza conflict continues.
According to the Independent, it was given six different transmission dates across January and February but its premiere kept getting pushed back. Now Channel 4 has the rights to the documentary which was made by Basement Films. At a screening on, Lineker gave his reaction while holding back tears. "One of the most important films I've ever seen, certainly the most moving. I might need a minute here," he told the audience.
"It needed to be seen. It really did need to be seen. I think everyone would agree with that. I think the BBC should hold its head in shame. "I've worked for the corporation for 30 years; to see the way it's declined in the last year or two has been devastating really. I've defended it and defended it against claims that it is partial."

He added: "It talks about impartiality all the time. The truth is at the moment, at the very top of the BBC, not the BBC all over, because as you know there are thousands and thousands of people who work at the BBC that are good people that understand what is going on here and can see it.
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has reportedly signed an £800,000 deal to be a pundit on Match of the Day from next season. The England icon will join the BBC's flagship show following Gary's departure. He has been replaced by Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates who will rotate as host of Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2, the Sunday highlights show.
And the trio will be joined by Rooney who will appear as a pundit, report The Sun. Rooney has dipped his toe into more punditry on the BBC and Sky Sports since he was sacked as Plymouth manager on New Year's Eve. Lineker hosted his final Match of the Day in May, and signed off with an emotional statement. "Alan [Shearer] and Micah [Richards], I suspect our paths will cross again very shortly," he said.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years, you've made my job so much easier.
"Also, a huge thank you to those you don't see at home: the work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors, to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs, thank you all, you're the very best.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four

Rhyl Journal

time3 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four

The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.

Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four

North Wales Chronicle

time3 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four

The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.

Gregg Wallace faces another blow as 'entire final MasterChef series could be scrapped' as sacked BBC presenter faces 50 new misconduct claims
Gregg Wallace faces another blow as 'entire final MasterChef series could be scrapped' as sacked BBC presenter faces 50 new misconduct claims

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Gregg Wallace faces another blow as 'entire final MasterChef series could be scrapped' as sacked BBC presenter faces 50 new misconduct claims

Gregg Wallace could face yet another blow as his 'entire final MasterChef series could be scrapped,' according to reports. The Masterchef presenter, 60, who has been sacked by the BBC following a nine-month sexual-misconduct investigation, also faces 50 new allegations. This week he hit out at bosses in a scathing post as he insisted he was still being fired despite being cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. Before the probe was launched, Gregg had completed filming new episodes of MasterChef, which have been shelved. A source told The Sun, that bosses need to make a decision on the series as they have 'contributors to consider'. They said: 'Bosses are inclined to can the whole thing, but that would also mean binning the time - and hopes - poured into making the show by those amateur chefs.' The source added: 'Another option is installing the series on iPlayer only, so viewers would 'elect' to stream it, with their understanding that it included Gregg. Editing him out is not an option. 'Either way it's a major headache for the BBC, and would be a final crushing blow for Gregg.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for the BBC and Gregg Wallace for comment. It comes as the BBC received 50 new claims over the TV presenter, including allegations he pulled his trousers down in front of one worker on the show and groped another. Sources are also claiming that Gregg is considering taking the BBC, or Masterchef's production company Banijay to a tribunal, and is ready to declare 'war' on bosses over his sacking. Gregg has also reportedly taken on the 'rottweiler' lawyer Dan Morrison, who represented Nigel Farage in the NatWest/Coutts bank account closure scandal. It's thought that Gregg's lawyers could push for the release of the report's executive summary, which might jeopardise senior MasterChef executives and talent. During the misconduct probe, in two categories — 'demeaning' nicknames for staff and Wallace being 'direct' with contestants — investigators said Gregg's actions were unintentional. Gregg's autism diagnosis was also reportedly used to explain some behaviour, and some allegations in the probe have been upheld. These include the star opening his dressing room door with a sock over his manhood, before shouting: 'Hooray.' Due to the BBC's cost-cutting measures, it's been deemed unlikely that Gregg will receive any or redundancy package, but he could land a six-figure payout from a tribunal in his favour. On Tuesday, Gregg released a statement ahead of the investigation into his misconduct allegations being published later this week. Wallace denies the claims and has condemned the corporation in a scathing social media post saying he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. But fresh claims come from people who say they encountered him across a range of shows with the majority alleging he made inappropriate sexual comments towards them, according to BBC News. Out of the 50 allegations, 11 women have accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching. One woman described Wallace's behaviour 'disgusting and predatory' saying he pulled his trousers down in front of her in a dressing room. While another said she was left feeling 'absolutely horrified' when he groped her. One participant on the BBC's Saturday Kitchen claims during filming in 2002, Wallace put his hand under the table and onto her groin, before asking her: 'Do you like that?' Another claim come from a university student who said when she met him at a nightclub, he put his hand under her skirt and pinched her bottom when taking a photo with him. One woman says that at an industry ball in 2014 he groped her under her dress, while a junior worker says in 2012 he dropped his trousers without wearing underwear in front of her. Several men claim they witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments. Among the recent claims, a 19-year-old MasterChef worker said in 2022 she tried to raise concerns to the BBC about Wallace's comments about her body. A former policeman said that in 2023 he also tried to complain about Wallace's sexually inappropriate language. The BBC reports that most of the women who have come forward are young freelancers who felt they were unable to complain without negative career repercussions. Writing on Instagram, Wallace said he had taken the decision to go public before the Silkins report was published as 'I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others'. The former greengrocer had stepped down from MasterChef while complaints from 13 women about historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace, who has worked for the BBC for 21 years, said 'the most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless'. He said he had recognised 'that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate'. 'I was hired by the BBC and MasterChef as the cheeky greengrocer. A real person with warmth, character, rough edges and all,' Wallace said. 'For over two decades, that authenticity was part of the brand. Now, in a sanitised world, that same personality is seen as a problem.' A source reportedly said Wallace had been cleared of the most high profile allegations that had been brought by Penny Lancaster and Kirsty Wark. 'But the BBC has made it clear there is no way back for him. He is devastated,' they said. The former greengrocer, who was recently diagnosed with autism, accused the BBC of doing nothing to 'investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over twenty years'. And he vowed 'I will not go quietly' as he said the full 200 page report will not be published with the BBC instead going to release an executive summary. 'What really concerns me about the short summary is others who have been found guilty of serious allegations have been erased from the published version of events. I, and I'm sure the public, would like to know why?,' he said. A source told The Sun that Wallace was 'both furious and devastated' by the BBC's decision to axe him. The report is to be officially published on Thursday, but Wallace's legal team have claimed to have seen the report. A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. 'We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.' In response to the latest allegations, a spokesperson for Wallace told the BBC: 'Gregg continues to co-operate fully with the ongoing Banijay UK review and as previously stated, denies engaging in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.' Wallace was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from 'middle class women of a certain age'. He went on to ask: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?' Since then, several high-profile names - including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer - had condemned his remarks in public statements. The former greengrocer later apologised for the controversial comments which caused a PR storm. The under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: 'I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion.' He told the Mail in April had he how he stopped socialising with young people after first being disciplined by the BBC in 2018, because he was 'scared they would complain about him.' He was disciplined for inappropriate behaviour while working on a quiz show when he told a young runner on the final day of filming that he'd 'really enjoyed working with her, she was brilliantly clever, strikingly attractive and was going to do well'. Talking about the aftermath in a new interview, he explained: 'My behaviours completely and utterly changed from 2018 and that's why there are no complaints in this big investigation after 2018. It changed me completely and I never got into trouble again. 'But the way I did it was to become a social recluse. I refused to do anything social at work, wouldn't go to the pub with anyone, to the point where when we went out on location everybody else would go out for dinner and I would stay in my hotel room. 'I wouldn't socialise. I stopped any social conversations with younger people that I didn't know very well.' Wallace recalled: 'There's some really good young people at work and they'd say 'Gregg we're all going for a drink are you gonna come?' 'And I'd say no I won't come. You guys make me nervous. The sensibilities of a sixty year old man are different to 25-year-olds and you live in a complaint culture that never existed. 'If I go out with you and I drink and offer an opinion, political or social, I'm scared you're going to complain about me. The anxiety levels were just extraordinary.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store